Sexual and reproductive health in overweight and obesity: Aims and visions for integrated research approaches

Abstract

Overweight and obesity increasingly affect women in their reproductive phase, during family planning, pregnancy, breastfeeding and the postpartum period. Overweight and obesity are associated with impaired sexual and reproductive health, including increased rates of infertility, pregnancy complications, and reduced breastfeeding rates. Furthermore, maternal overweight and obesity are associated with long-term negative health consequences for the child, such as an increased risk for respiratory and metabolic disease. With the Junior Research Center for Reproduction: Sexual and Reproductive Health in Overweight and Obesity (SRHOO Center), we aim to address the effects of overweight and obesity on sexual and reproductive health in an interdisciplinary approach, combining the areas of obstetrics and midwifery, sexual health research, basic research in feto-maternal medicine and glycoimmunology, pediatrics, as well as endocrinology, metabolism and bariatric surgery. Combining these areas of expertise, we seek (1) to understand the effects of overweight and obesity on sexual and reproductive health in different patient groups, focusing on their specific needs in order to provide appropriate counselling and access to healthcare; (2) to improve reproductive health in different groups of overweight and obese patients; and (3) to create interdisciplinary, comprehensive scientific and clinical training regarding sexual and reproductive health in overweight and obese patients. In this short introduction to the SRHOO Center, we provide information on its structure, aims and individual projects as well as its presumed long-term implications for clinical care and public health.

Keywords: Obesity; Offspring; Overweight; Pregnancy; Reproduction; Reproductive health; Sexual health.